Saturday, September 3, 2011

Movie Choices and the Fading Honeymoon Effect

After two years of marriage, my husband and I are slowly exiting the honeymoon stage. In our courtship, I could pick out any movie to watch of an evening and my husband wouldn't bat an eye. He's gradually becoming more particular, however. I've noticed the change happening for some time, but it was not until I brought home the movie Sabrina that I fully registered what is to come.

Because I didn't just bring home the 1954 version of Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn, but I also brought home the 1995 version of Sabrina with Harrison Ford. I thought it would be fun to watch them back to back and compare the two. I just couldn't imagine Audrey Hepburn and Harrison Ford in a movie together, so I assumed the two versions of the movie would be pretty different.

But when I presented the two copies of Sabrina for my husband's inspection, his face didn't register even the smallest hint of excitement. Throughout our courtship and first years of marriage, I could tell when my husband was genuinely pleased with one of my movie choices and when he was trying to feign some excitement for my sake. His counterfeit interest, however unconvincing, softened the realization that he didn’t want to watch something I had picked out. I was not prepared for a full disclosure of his feelings toward this movie choice, as they played across his face, without the gentling attempt at enthusiasm.

No, he did not want to watch Sabrina. Especially not the version with Audrey Hepburn.

Apparently we have not completely left the honeymoon stage behind us, though, because he did eventually watch Sabrina with me. The one with Harrison Ford.  The Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn went back to the library unwatched. I think he was mostly just curious to see how the rogue pilot and adventurous archeologist would fare in a fully-fledged supremely sappy romance.

Selfishly, I do not feel ready to leave the honeymoon stage of our marriage. Selfishly, I enjoy the fact that my husband will watch movies that I enjoy when we have an evening to ourselves.

But maybe leaving those sentimental selfless days behind us are a good development.

Maybe we’ll watch fewer movies.


2 comments:

  1. What did he think of Sabrina?

    ReplyDelete
  2. He enjoyed Harrison Ford's dry humor. I think that was the only redeeming quality, though!

    ReplyDelete